FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Returning a three-time all-conference selection and three starters from last year's team, the Rams and second-year head coach Ryun Williams are excited to begin the 2013-14 campaign.

Colorado State's team features six returning letter-winners as well as eight newcomers. The Rams will need to rely on the strong veteran presence as they embark on a tough non-conference schedule, featuring five teams that made the postseason last year.

The team opens exhibition play for the second consecutive year vs. Colorado School of Mines on Oct. 28, before hosting Black Hills State on Nov. 1 for a second exhibition game.

To begin the regular season, the Rams will host University of Colorado, Colorado Springs on Nov. 8.

Following the opener, the team will take on in-state rival and NCAA contender, Colorado at Moby Arena on Nov. 12, followed by another home contest against Drake on Nov. 16.

CSU's first road test will come at the hands of Illinois State when the Rams travel to Normal, Ill., to take on the Red Birds on Nov. 23.

The Rams will then travel to Hawaii for a four-team tournament from Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Colorado State will open up tournament play against Hawai'i, before it takes on Minnesota and NCAA tournament team, Tennessee-Chattanooga.

The team returns home on Dec. 5 to host Loyola Marymount University, which finished fifth in the West Coach Conference last year, before going on the road to take on another in-state rival in Denver on Dec. 8.

Colorado State will close out its non-conference schedule with two home matches vs. South Dakota Mines (Dec. 14) and Weber State (Dec. 22).

Conference play is expected to begin just before the new year, with the schedule expected to be announced in late August or September.